Generating notifications using logical groupings

Abstract

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities for generating notifications/messages are provided. In one embodiment, logical groupings associated with items to be delivered are stored. The shipping data for the items can comprise item identifiers and logical grouping identifiers. By using a current logical grouping identifier, it can be determined when an item from a new logical grouping is being or has been delivered. Responsively, notifications/messages can be generated for the new logical grouping to indicate (a) a time window within which the items of the new logical grouping are expected to be delivered or (b) whether a pick-up can be made within the time window.

1 . A method comprising:
 for each of a first plurality of items, electronically storing shipping data comprising (a) a first logical grouping identifier corresponding to a first logical grouping with which each of the first plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the first plurality of items;   electronically setting a current logical grouping identifier to the first logical grouping identifier;   receiving a pick-up request of an item for pick-up of an item by a carrier, the pick-up request comprising an address for the location of the pick-up;   determining whether the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping; and   responsive to determining that the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping, (a) identifying a planned time associated with the current logical grouping and (b) and providing a notification that the pick-up can be completed within the planned time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising,
 for each of a second plurality of items, electronically storing shipping data comprising (a) a second logical grouping identifier corresponding to a second logical grouping with which each of the second plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the second plurality of items; 
 responsive to receiving input that a particular item from the second plurality of items is to be delivered, determining whether the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is the same as the current logical grouping identifier; and 
 responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, identifying the shipping identifiers associated with the second logical grouping. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising, responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, electronically setting the current logical grouping identifier to the second logical grouping identifier. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 identifying the address for the pick-up request from address data; and 
 identifying a facility associated with the address for the location of the pick-up. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 identifying a dispatch plan associated with the facility and the address for the location of the pick-up; and 
 identifying a route of the dispatch plan associated the address for the location of the pick-up. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the route is identified based at least in part on one or more of a customer identifier, a dispatch plan identifier, a route identifier, a logical grouping identifier, or address matching. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, the at least one memory and the program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
 for each of a first plurality of items, electronically store shipping data comprising (a) a first logical grouping identifier corresponding to a first logical grouping with which each of the first plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the first plurality of items;   electronically set a current logical grouping identifier to the first logical grouping identifier;   receive a pick-up request of an item for pick-up of an item by a carrier, the pick-up request comprising an address for the location of the pick-up;   determine whether the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping; and   responsive to determining that the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping, (a) identify a planned time associated with the current logical grouping and (b) and provide a notification that the pick-up can be completed within the planned time.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 for each of a second plurality of items, electronically store shipping data comprising (a) a second logical grouping identifier corresponding to a second logical grouping with which each of the second plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the second plurality of items;   responsive to receiving input that a particular item from the second plurality of items is to be delivered, determine whether the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is the same as the current logical grouping identifier; and   responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, identify the shipping identifiers associated with the second logical grouping.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to, responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, electronically set the current logical grouping identifier to the second logical grouping identifier. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 identify the address for the pick-up request from address data; and   identify a facility associated with the address for the location of the pick-up.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the memory and program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to:
 identify a dispatch plan associated with the facility and the address for the location of the pick-up; and   identify a route of the dispatch plan associated the address for the location of the pick-up.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the route is identified based at least in part on one or more of a customer identifier, a dispatch plan identifier, a route identifier, a logical grouping identifier, or address matching. 
     
     
         13 . A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
 an executable portion configured to, for each of a first plurality of items, electronically store shipping data comprising (a) a first logical grouping identifier corresponding to a first logical grouping with which each of the first plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the first plurality of items;   an executable portion configured to electronically set a current logical grouping identifier to the first logical grouping identifier;   an executable portion configured to receive a pick-up request of an item for pick-up of an item by a carrier, the pick-up request comprising an address for the location of the pick-up;   an executable portion configured to determine whether the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping; and   an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining that the address for the location of the pick-up is associated with the current logical grouping, (a) identify a planned time associated with the current logical grouping and (b) and provide a notification that the pick-up can be completed within the planned time.   
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 13  further comprising:
 an executable portion configured to, for each of a second plurality of items, electronically store shipping data comprising (a) a second logical grouping identifier corresponding to a second logical grouping with which each of the second plurality of items is associated and (b) a respective item identifier for each of the second plurality of items; 
 an executable portion configured to, responsive to receiving input that a particular item from the second plurality of items is to be delivered, determine whether the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is the same as the current logical grouping identifier; and 
 an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, identify the shipping identifiers associated with the second logical grouping. 
 
     
     
         15 . The computer program product of  claim 14  further comprising an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining the logical grouping identifier for the particular item is not the same as the current logical grouping identifier, electronically set the current logical grouping identifier to the second logical grouping identifier. 
     
     
         16 . The computer program product of  claim 13  further comprising:
 an executable portion configured to identify the address for the pick-up request from address data; and 
 an executable portion configured to identify a facility associated with the address for the location of the pick-up. 
 
     
     
         17 . The computer program product of  claim 13  further comprising:
 an executable portion configured to identify a dispatch plan associated with the facility and the address for the location of the pick-up; and 
 an executable portion configured to identify a route of the dispatch plan associated the address for the location of the pick-up. 
 
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 13 , wherein the route is identified based at least in part on one or more of a customer identifier, a dispatch plan identifier, a route identifier, a logical grouping identifier, or address matching.